Should the United States have annexed the Philippines

The annexation of the Philippines by the United States in 1898 has been a topic of debate for many years. Some argue that it was a necessary move for the United States to assert its dominance and secure its interests in Asia, while others believe that it was an unjustifiable act of imperialism. In this essay, we will examine the arguments for and against the annexation of the Philippines and evaluate whether the United States made the right decision.

To begin with, it is important to understand the historical context in which the annexation took place.

In 1898, the Spanish-American War broke out, and the United States emerged victorious. As part of the Treaty of Paris that ended the war, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States. The decision to annex the Philippines was not taken lightly, and there were many factors that influenced it.

One argument in favor of the annexation of the Philippines is that it was necessary to protect American interests in Asia.

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At the time, the United States was expanding its economic and political influence across the Pacific, and the Philippines were seen as a valuable strategic asset. The Philippines provided access to important trade routes, and its ports could be used as naval bases. Moreover, the United States feared that if it did not annex the Philippines, another power, such as Japan or Germany, would do so, and the United States would lose its foothold in Asia.

Another argument for the annexation of the Philippines is that it would bring modernization and progress to the islands.

At the time, the Philippines were underdeveloped and lacked infrastructure and basic services. The United States believed that it could bring modernization to the islands and help the Filipino people by providing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Many Americans saw the annexation as a benevolent act that would bring the benefits of Western civilization to the Philippines.

However, there were also many arguments against the annexation of the Philippines. One of the main arguments was that it violated the principles of democracy and self-determination. The United States had fought a war for its own independence from colonial rule, and many believed that it was hypocritical for the United States to then impose colonial rule on other people. Moreover, the Filipinos themselves had been fighting for their own independence from Spanish colonial rule, and they saw the United States as just another imperial power trying to control their destiny.

Another argument against the annexation of the Philippines was that it was immoral and unjust. The United States had no right to take control of another country and its people without their consent. The annexation was seen as an act of aggression and a violation of the Filipinos' sovereignty. Many Americans believed that it was wrong to impose their values and culture on other people and that Filipinos should be allowed to determine their own future.

In the end, it is difficult to say whether the annexation of the Philippines was the right decision. On the one hand, the United States did gain access to important trade routes and secure its interests in Asia. It also brought modernization and progress to the Philippines, and many Filipinos benefited from American education and healthcare. On the other hand, the annexation violated the principles of democracy and self-determination, and it was seen as an act of imperialism and aggression by many Filipinos and Americans alike.

Today, the Philippines is an independent nation with a strong economy and a vibrant democracy. However, the legacy of the annexation still lingers, and there are still debates about whether it was a justifiable act. In the end, the annexation of the Philippines serves as a reminder of the complexities of imperialism and the challenges of balancing national interests with ethical considerations.